Cidiot

Let's go bean-to-bar.

In this episode of Cidiot,® Mat Zucker dives into the world of world-class indulgence right here in the Hudson Valley. 

Joining the show is Bryan Graham, the award-winning chocolatier and co-founder of Fruition Chocolate Works.

From his roots in the Catskills to the kitchens of the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), Bryan shares his journey of building a bean-to-bar empire. We talk about the "American ...

In this episode of Cidiot®, we explore the literal "connective tissue" of our region: the bridges. 

Host Mat Zucker is joined by Chris Steber, Public Information Officer for the New York State Bridge Authority, to discuss the five major vehicular crossings—from the "grand-daddy" Bear Mountain Bridge to the Rip Van Winkle.  

We dive into the fascinating history of these landmarks, including why Franklin D. Roosevel...

After a brutal winter, spring in the Hudson Valley isn't just a temperature change—it’s a shift in soul. In this episode, Cidiot® explores the "palpable optimism" of the season, from the practical (and messy) realities of country living to the psychological power of starting fresh.

Mat shares his 7-step guide to mastering spring upstate—covering everything from the melody of melting creeks and the return of outdoor far...

Who do you trust for the "real" news? 

In a landscape of paywalls and strictly managed county reporting, Mat sits down with Jeff Yeh, the man behind the largest social media news source in Hudson Valley's Columbia County. From tracking DUI arrests to questioning local political transparency, Jeff’s unconventional approach has earned him millions of views—and a fair share of controversy.

In this episode of Cidiot®, Mat a...

This episode is hilarious—and delicious.

Host Mat Zucker dives into the magical world of local farming and the global Slow Food movement with Pierre Fredrichs, co-chair of Slow Food Hudson Valley and owner of Overlook Farms in East Chatham.

Recorded at the Creative Legion in Hudson, we discuss:

• ​The Movement: How a McDonald’s in Rome sparked a global mission for "good, clean, fair food for all."
• ​Life on the Farm: Pierre...

“One is fooling the mind. The other is fooling the eyes.”

—Thomas Baker on the difference between a magician and an illusionist

Season 9 is out! With Cidiot®, I’ve been trying for more than 125 episodes to open your eyes to new things. This season will be all about wonder. We need to look into the wonder to see what’s possible. So this season starts with magic.

Thomas Baker is an illusionist based in Hudson Valley's Saugerties...

Winter in the Hudson Valley is not a metaphor. It’s a physical, emotional, and occasionally muddy reality—one that arrives early, lingers late, and demands respect (and better boots).

In the Season 8 finale of Cidiot, Mat wraps up a year-long exploration of the “Creative Human” with a practical—and lightly self-deprecating—survival guide for making it through a Hudson Valley winter with your sanity intact.

From generators and wood-bu...

What does it look like to build a creative life without a ladder, a map, or a five-year plan? In this crossover episode, I sit down with Kingston-based cinematographer, podcaster, and all-around creative human Drew English, host of the podcast No Set Path.

We interviewed each other for our respective shows, and this is the Cidiot cut—rooted in the Hudson Valley, flavored with dirt, neighbors, and the reality of figuring it out as y...

Live from Hudson, NY, it’s an author Q&A with Brian Shaefer and his debut novel Town & Country. 

Recorded in front of a live audience at Spark of Hudson, Mat moderates a conversation about character, plot, and the worlds of weekender and local coming together.  The story follows a congressional race set in a fictional town of Griffin, inspired by the Hudson Valley.

“Duffles” is Brian’s word for cidiots. One lesson which I re...

Meet Patrick, owner of Lily’s Natural Pet Store, which just opened its second location after Poughkeepsie in Hudson.

We talk dogs—a favorite subject—and why he chose Hudson, why not on Warren Street for his second location, why it’s not your average pet store, about running a pet business (I was thinking of doing one!), and tackle my burning questions such as the smell of bully sticks and what’s so great about raw. And like on many...

Meet Amy and Joyce, owners of The Yoga House, now with three locations in the Hudson Valley — Kingston, Highland and Poughkeepsie. 

One grew up in the HV; one is a transplant from Queens—what a great fit for coming on Cidiot. 

We talk about yoga, the different types, and poke a bit of fun (well, I do, and they’re good sports about it).  They share how they got into yoga, which you won’t believe has quite a bit to do with roller derb...

James Lauren is a board certified nurse practitioner who recently opened up a primary care clinic in Hudson. James is also a new homeowner and bravely let me try in-person recording at his adorable farmhouse with my miniature new recording system. 

We talk about primary care—what it is and why it matters, plus who their clinic serves. Short answer: everybody.

We also chat  about being a new homeowner, bartering labor, talking to peo...

Let’s talk about money and about Beacon. This episode, Mat chats with Lena Rizkallah of Conte Wealth Advisors, who is a Chelsea-turned-Beaconite financial advisor.

Through Lena, we’ll get to know Beacon better, including lots of great places to eat. We’ll also hear Lena’s story and all she does as a part of the community and building financial literacy in the rest of us. She hosts panels and speakeasies about money, and even does st...

“Libraries are rooms of requirement.”

— Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, Executive Director, Mid-Hudson Library System

This week on Cidiot®, we’re talking libraries — not just the quiet, book-filled havens you remember, but vibrant community hubs evolving with the times. I’m joined by Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, executive director of the Mid-Hudson Library System (MHLS), which spans 66 libraries across 70 locations in five Hudson Valley coun...

“This area attracts talented creative people seeking opportunities to play out, all seeking opportunities to play with each other.” — MK Scully

Join MK Scully, afternoon host and promotions director at WKZE in Red Hook, as Cidiot® digs deeper into the local music scene. Who are the local bands? Where would you go to see them? We talk about both as well as about songs about the area. Genre wise, it’s everything. Singer-songwriter...

In Episode 117 of Cidiot®, host Mat Zucker sits down with Christy Counts, the president and founder of Neverstill Wines, a New York State-based winery with a tasting room right in Hudson, NY. Christy shares her journey from wine enthusiast to entrepreneur, detailing how she built Neverstill Wines with a focus on sustainability, community, and a deep love for the Hudson Valley.

Christy discusses her philosophy behind the Neverstill l...

This episode was inspired by a spontaneous poetry commission on the street in Hudson, NY. A poet named Jacqueline crafts “Cidiot, Come Hither,” and Mat takes stock of escaping bubbles and breaking routines.

Thanks so much for listening. Please rate and review Cidiot® and sign up for the show’s newsletter at Cidiot.com.

Links to places and resources mentioned in the episode:

• Moto Coffee, Hudson, NY (https://www.motocoffeemachine.c...

Meet Madeline Hung of Castle, a finance app that helps homeowners save time and money managing their homes. Madeline says she’s a San Francisco cidiot trying to recreate her Bay Area lifestyle here in the Hudson Volley. She and her husband Hugo have created a service that does two things: One is to understand the money you’re saving, and the second part is to help you optimize and save. Their average customer, as you’ll hear, is sa...

Ready for something different? On this episode of Cidiot®, you’ll hear from John Burton, host of the popular podcast “Home From Here.” 

Hear John’s history from Rhinebeck to New York City to Westchester—and his plans to get back up here to the HV. As John explains, he wants to get back to his people. The people of the Hudson Valley are “Sophisticated and simple at the same time, smart and funny at the same time.” 

John puts it all ou...